War of the Worlds

Saw the movie on July 2nd. This is the Speilberg's adaptation of the classic sci-fi fiction "war of the worlds" by H G Wells. The movie is set in the current time as the book was set in 1901 (I think) so there is quite few differences. But the plot is simple: Martian's drop into the earth (literally) to cause such havac to humans. Martians are depicted as highly intellegent creatures, and highly evolved (interestingly written in the book; not much mention in the movie).

Even though I would have liked exact setting as in the book, the movie is epic. Speilberg add his imaginations to the "maritian killing machines - tripod like fighting machines", the heat-ray which evaporates the humans and leaves their clothes flying. If you have read the book you know climax, which for most people it's kind of quick. Strictly speaking there is no hero, or super hero who can take on the aliens (actually, in the book British army is no match for the martians, as in the movie US army isn't match)...that to me a hugh plus.

I would highly recommend this movie, but it will be much more fun and scary if you read the book before hand.

Angels & Demons

After I read the Da Vinci Code, I want to try Angels & Demons, as this is Dan Browns second best seller. The plot is very similar to that the Code. Robert Longdon again decipher's the hidden messages with his symbology brain, and on this he pairs with Vittoria Vetra (again her Dad's murder brings them together to go after the ancient brotherhood: illuminati). This one is science vs vatican. The ambigrams used in the book are very interesting. This book has lot of interesting facts (or ideas) like the x-33 space plane, antimater (opposite of the matter)...highly researched. Again I recommend this book to all.

Da Vinci Code

Usually, I am not a big fan of fictions but as the Da vinci Code got so popular thought I'll give it try.
The book is about the hidden messages in the famous paintings by Da vinci, as he was a member of the ancient secret society called "Priory of Sion". The society has been formed to protect the secrect truth (and will be made to the world at the right time). As Robert Longdon (harvard professor who specilizes in symbology), and Sophie Nevue (grand daughter of the curator of the Louvre musium in Paris) follow the puzzle left behind by the curator....well I don't want to give of the plot.

This one is vatican vs the priory of sion. I have no idea how much of the book is facts...but the plot is very interesting. Most of all, the amount research that Dan Brown has put into this amazing. Highly recommended.

Freakonomics

Just completed the book "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. I first came to know about this book in a review by WSJ. From review, I was fascinated by the subject of this book. The economist (Levitt) tries to solve some of rather unique questions and try to co-relate them. Examples: Do abortions brought down the crime rate?; Do real estate agents represent your best interest? Does parent influence the childs socio-economic status? or not? How does the naming a child and socio-economy related?

It's rather an easy to read. Highly recommended.

Crash

Few weeks back I saw the movie "Crash" which is about the racisim in Los Angeles. Instantly it has become one of my favorite movies. You'll be on the edge all time and movie captures the social and emotinal issues that they deal. I will highly recommend this movie to anyone.

Walden...

In April (I think), I had a chance to read Henry Thoreau's Walden. It's about his experiment in living in the woods (near Boston, the pond called Walden) in 1840's. Also this book had one of his most famous essay: Civil Disobeidence. Absolutely loved it.

Mark Twain

I had a chance to read the Mark Twain's most famous works: Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckelberry Finn. I absolutlely loved the Huck Finn's adventures. Not only the adventures are fun (especially when Tom Sawyer "tries" to help Huck to free Jim from the jail - I laughed so hard), but it also gives a social commentary about how people lived in the 19th century.

It's been a while...

God It's been 4 months! Too lazy....I have to write more often. I am going to try posting every week here after.

readings

In Dec 2003, I canceled my cable. There are two reasons. First, the cable company increased my monthly payment from around $50 to $55. Second, I wanted to read more and the TV is taking away most of my free time...(btw, I have about more 130 books in my wish list to be read; and there are 100's of books published every month). I still have TV and watch those broadcast channels.

With much more free time in 2004, I was able to read quite a few books. Below is the list. I am planning to write reviews for each one of them in future.

1981
Alive
White Fang
Call of the wild
The Sea-Wolf
Murder on Iditorod Trail
Red Line (avoid this one)
Under the Banner of the Heaven

Into the Wild
Into Thin Air
Eiger Dreams
Desert Solitaire (highly recommended)

Global Warming

It great to see more people are starting believe that on global warming. After Michael Crichton's "State of Fear", which stirred debate on global warming. BTW, Crichton is one of those who doesn't believe in industry induced global warming. His position is that there is no enough data to warrent the global warming, and that the environmentalists are creating the panic.
I think global warming is real, and it's up to us to make the future generations survive. What if those who oppose the strong pollution measure's were wrong?. It's doesn't hurt to have cleaner and greener earth for us as well for the future generations.